Drinking flask

ABSTRACT

A drinking vessel comprises a body part ( 10 ) to receive a drinks liquid, a lid ( 30 ) to seal the top of the body part, a liquid outlet passage ( 50, 52 ) extending down to a lower region of the interior space of the body part, and an air intake passage ( 54 ) also extending down to the lower region of the interior space of the body part. As the user draws liquid out of the vessel through the liquid outlet passage ( 50, 52 ), replacement air enters through the air intake passage ( 54 ) and then bubbles upwardly through the liquid within the vessel.

The present invention relates to a flask or other drinking vessel andmore particularly to a drinking vessel which is sealed and from whichthe user draws the liquid via a suction tube.

Flasks or other drinking vessels which are sealed, and from which theuser draws the liquid via a suction tube, are particularly useful foryoung children because the risk of spillage is reduced. Various flaskshave been proposed hitherto which allow the user to draw liquid out ofthe sealed flask whilst allowing air into the flask to replace theliquid which is consumed. These flasks have either failed to preventspillage of liquid out of the air-inlet orifice, or have been ofcomplicated and therefore expensive construction.

We have now devised a drinking vessel which is of relatively simple andinexpensive construction but which is effective sealed. Moreover, thevessel is arranged to provide a visual feature which is attractive tothe user.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a drinkingvessel which comprises a body part providing a vessel to receive adrinks liquid, a lid arranged to close the top of the body part insealed manner, a liquid outlet passage extending downwardly to a lowerregion of the interior space of the body part, and an air intake passagealso extending downwardly to the lower region of the interior space ofthe body part.

In use, as the user draws liquid out of the vessel through the liquidoutlet passage, replacement air enters through the air intake passageand then bubbles upwardly through the liquid within the vessel.Preferably at least part of the side wall of the body part of the vesselis transparent, so that the user can observe the replacement airbubbling upwardly through the liquid. The user will also feel avibratory effect as the air bubbles through the liquid, also adding tothe attraction of the vessel. In some cases, the bubbling of air throughthe liquid may enhance the liquid itself (e.g. where the liquid iscarbonated).

Preferably at least part of the lid is transparent. Preferably the lidcomprises a main part having a peripheral sealing member of elastomericmaterial. Instead the sealing member may be provided on the rim of thebody part of the vessel: alternatively, the lid may be arranged topush-fit into and seal directly with the inner surface of the body partof the vessel.

Preferably the liquid outlet passage extends to the bottom, orsubstantially to the bottom, of the interior space of the vessel. Theair intake passage preferably extends at least half-way to the bottom ofthe interior space of the vessel: most preferably the air intake passageextends to the bottom, or substantially to the bottom, of the interiorspace of the vessel.

The liquid outlet and air intake passages may comprise tubes which areconnected to the lid and extend downwardly within the interior space ofthe body part of the drinking vessel. The liquid outlet and air intaketubes may be engaged with the lid at generally diametrically oppositepositions of the latter. In this case the air intake tube is coupled toa duct extending through the lid, of relatively small size compared withthe diameter or cross-section of the air intake tube itself.

The upperside of the lid may be formed with a recess which receives apivoted mouthpiece connected to the upper end of the liquid outlet tube:the recess has a pivoted cover for closing the recess and enclosing themouthpiece. Preferably the cover is coupled to the mouthpiece so that asthe cover is pivoted to its open position, he mouthpiece is pivotedupwards to a ready-to-use position. The cover may be arranged to sealwith the lid when closed across the recess of the lid.

Instead of being connected through the lid at their upper ends, eitheror both of the liquid outlet and air intake tubes may be connectedthrough the wall of the body part of the drinking vessel, adjacent itsupper end. In any event, the tube or tubes may be straight or spiral inform: if both the liquid outlet and air intake tubes are spiral in form,they preferably follow spiral paths of opposite hands.

Either or both the liquid outlet and air intake tubes may extenddownwardly on the exterior of the body part, for at least part of theirpaths, then enter the interior space of the body part of the vesselthrough its wall. The body part may be formed with a double side wall,in which case either or both of the liquid outlet and air intake tubesmay be disposed, for at least part of their paths, within the hollowspace of the side wail: this space may itself form a passage either forthe outlet of liquid or the intake of air, or may be partitioned to formpassages both for the outlet of liquid and the intake of air.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexamples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of drinking flask orvessel in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vessel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of drinking vessel inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vessel shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a drinkingflask or vessel which comprises a cylindrical body part 10 fitted at itsbottom with a base part 20 and closed at its upper end by a removablelid 30. The cylindrical body part 10 is closed at its bottom end by anoutwardly-domed wall 12 and has a projecting rim 14 which forms anextension of the main side wall of the body part. The base part 20 isgenerally ring-shaped and comprises a U-shaped section 22 on itsradially-inner periphery to define an annular groove which receives therim 14 of the body part 10. From the upper edge of the outer peripheryof the U-shaped section 22, an outer peripheral wall 24 extendsdownwardly and outwardly in a curve, to terminate in a bottom edge 26 bywhich the flask may rest on a flat surface. The base part 20 is apush-fit onto the rim 14 and is held in place by adhesive.

The lid 30 comprises a main part 32 which has a depending skirt 34 and aradially-outwardly projecting rib 36. The lid further comprises aperipheral seal 38 of elastomeric material, which has been moulded ontothe main part 32 and covers the outer side of the skirt 34 and the rib36: the seal 38 includes a radially-cutwardly projecting flange 40 inregister with the rib 36 of the main part of the lid and having spacedenlargements 41 (FIG. 2). It will be noted that the lid fits into thetop end of the body part 10 of the vessel with the seal 38 partiallycompressed between the inner surface of the body part 10 of the vesseland the skirt 34 of the main part 32 of the lid, and the flange 40 ofthe seal seated on the top edge of the body part 10 of the vessel.

The main part 32 of the lid is also formed on its underside, and atdiametrically opposite positions, with enlargements 42,44 in wallthickness of the skirt 34. Enlargement 42 is formed with a through-borethe lower end of which receives one end of a liquid outlet tube 50 andthe upper end of which receives one end of a suction tube 52.Enlargement 44 is formed with a socket which extends from the undersideof the lid almost to the top, where a small orifice 46 is formed toprovide an air, inlet. An air intake tube 54 has one end fitted into thesocket in enlargement 44. The liquid output and air intake tubes 50,54are secured in their respective sockets by adhesive: the suction tube 52may be similarly secured in position or it may be removable.

It will be noted that each of the liquid outlet and air intake tubes50,54 follow spiral paths (of opposite hands) right to the bottom of thevessel.

The body part 10 of the vessel, and preferably also the main part 32 ofthe lid, are formed of transparent plastics material, e.g.polycarbonate. The base part 20 may be of a coloured plastics material.The liquid outlet, suction and air intake tubes 50,52,54 may be oftransparent, translucent or opaque plastics material. At least thesuction tube, and preferably all three tubes, are flexible.

In use, the user sucks on the suction tube 52 to draw liquid, fromwithin the vessel, through the liquid outlet tube 50 and the suctiontube 52 and into his mouth. In order to replace the volume of liquidwhich is drawn out of the vessel, air flows in through the orifice 46and through the air intake tube 54, to emerge from the latter tube rightat the bottom of the vessel: this air then bubbles upwards through theliquid within the flask.

Thus, as the user proceeds to drink from the vessel, air bubblesupwardly through the liquid. This may enhance the liquid itself, but inany event-provides an attractive feature for the user to observe throughthe transparent walls of the vessel and also to feel the vibratoryeffect of the bubbles passing through the liquid.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of flask or drinking vessel inaccordance with the present invention. This vessel comprises atransparent, cup-shaped body part 60 the upper end of which is closed bya removable lid 70. The underside of the lid 70 is formed with aperipheral groove which fits in sealed manner over the peripheral rim 62of the base part 60. The upperside of the lid 70 is formed with a recess72 in which a mouthpiece 74 is pivotally mounted. The lid furthercomprises a hinged cover or flip-top 76 for the recess 72, the cover 76being coupled to the mouthpiece 74 by a bifurcated link 78. For storageor transit, the cover 76 is pivoted downwardly to close the recess 72and the mouthpiece 74 is received within the recess 72 and enclosed bythe cover 76. A latch 79 retains the cover in its closed position: thecover 76 may be arranged to seal against the lid. In use of the vessel,the latch 79 is released and the cover 76 pivoted to its open position:in so doing, the mouthpiece is pivoted upward, by the link 78, to reachthe upwardly-inclined position shown in FIG. 3.

The mouthpiece 74 has a longitudinal passage and its lower end iscoupled by a flexible tube 80 to the upper end of a liquid outlet tube82 which extends from the underside of the lid substantially to thebottom of the vessel. An air intake tube 84 also extends from theunderside of the lid substantially to the bottom of the vessel: the lidis formed with a restricted passage to allow air into the vessel.

It will be appreciated that the vessel of FIGS. 3 and 4 has the sameadvantageous features as the vessel of FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, as the userapplies suction to the mouthpiece 74, liquid is drawn from the vesselvia the liquid outlet tube 82 and the mouthpiece: replacement air entersthe vessel through the air intake tube 84 and bubbles upwardly throughthe liquid; the user is able to both observe and feel this bubblingaction.

Although the vessel of FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown with liquid outlet and airintake tubes which are straight, they may instead be of the same spiralform as the corresponding tubes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly, theliquid outlet and air intake tubes of the vessel of FIGS. 1 and 2 may bestraight instead of spiral.

In the examples shown in the drawings, the liquid outlet and air intaketubes extend downwardly from the lid and are disposed within theinterior of the body part of the drinking vessel. Instead, either orboth of the liquid outlet and air intake tubes may extend downwardlyfrom an upper region of the body part itself, and not be connected tothe lid: either or both tubes may extend downwardly within the interiorspace of the body part of the vessel, or instead either or both tubesmay extend downwardly on the exterior of the body part and then enterthe interior through the wall of the body part. The body part of thevessel may be formed with a double or hollow side wall, in which caseeither or both of the liquid outlet and air intake tubes nay be disposedwithin the hollow space of the side wall: indeed, this space may itselfform a passage either for the outlet of liquid or the intake of air (orbe partitioned to form passages both for the outlet of liquid and theintake of air).

What is claimed is:
 1. A drinking vessel, comprising: a) a body parthaving an open top and a bottom remote from said open top, said bodypart having an interior space providing a vessel for receiving a liquidfor drinking; b) a lid sealed and fitted to said body part for closingsaid open top in a sealed manner; c) a liquid outlet passage extendingdownwardly and opening into said interior space only adjacent saidbottom of said body part; and, d) an air intake passage extendingdownwardly and opening into said interior space only adjacent saidbottom of said body part so that, as a user applies suction through saidliquid outlet passage for drawing liquid from adjacent said bottom ofsaid body part and thereby creating a partial vacuum within saiddrinking vessel owing to an air-tight seal created by said sealing ofsaid lid onto said body part, replacement air enters said bottom of saidbody part through said air intake passage and then bubbles upwardlythrough the liquid within said drinking vessel.
 2. A drinking vessel asclaimed in claim 1, in which said body part comprises a side wall, atleast part of which is transparent.
 3. A drinking vessel as claimed inclaim 1, in which at least part of the lid is transparent.
 4. A drinkingvessel as claimed in claim 1, in which the lid comprises a main partwhich has a peripheral sealing member of elastomeric material.
 5. Adrinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, in which a peripheral sealingmember of elastomeric material is provided on the rim of said body partin order to seal with said lid.
 6. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim1, in which the liquid outlet and air intake passages compriserespective tubes which are connected to the lid and extend downwardlywithin the interior space of the body part of the vessel.
 7. A drinkingvessel as claimed in claim 6, in which the liquid outlet and air intaketubes are engaged with the lid at generally diametrically oppositepositions of the latter.
 8. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 6, inwhich the air intake tube is coupled to a duct extending through thelid, of small cross-sectional size relative to the air intake tube.
 9. Adrinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, in which the upperside of the lidis formed with a recess which receives a pivoted mouthpiece connected tothe liquid outlet passage.
 10. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 9,comprising a pivoted cover for closing said recess and enclosing saidmouthpiece.
 11. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 10, in which saidcover is coupled to the mouthpiece so that as the cover is pivoted toits open position, the mouthpiece is pivoted upwards to a ready-to-useposition.
 12. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, in which theliquid outlet and/or air intake passage comprises a tube which isconnected through the wall of the body part, adjacent the open top ofthe body part.
 13. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, in which theliquid outlet and/or air intake passage comprises a tube which is spiralin form.
 14. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, in which theliquid outlet and air intake passages comprise tubes which follow spiralpaths of opposite hands.
 15. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the liquid outlet passage and/or the air intake passage comprisesa tube which extends downwardly on the exterior of the body part, for atleast part of its path, and then enters the interior space of the bodypart through its wall.
 16. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, inwhich the body part is formed with a double side wall, the liquid outletand/or air intake passages being formed within the hollow space of theside wall.